THE Lord Mayor of Chester, Neil Ritchie, will open the new St Martin’s open space and performance area between St Martin’s Way and the bus terminal on Wednesday (April 27).

The unused city centre site has been transformed by Cheshire West and Chester Council and Chester Renaissance; the temporary fencing around the area was kept in place following the completion in February giving the grass time to establish.

Cllr Ritchie said: “I’m delighted to be able to open the new green space to the public and welcome the Queen’s School Jazz band as the first of I hope many performers using the area.”

Sixth form students from The Queen’s School, which overlooks the new open space, asked if they could help to officially open it. The school’s jazz band will be the first performers to play in the new area.

Rita Waters, chief executive Chester Renaissance, said: “We hope this new open space will be enjoyed by both residents and visitors. People arriving into Chester by bus or car are now presented with a greatly improved view of the city from St Martin’s Way.”

The new space features professional landscaping and an area for public use and events. New trees have been planted, along with an improvement to the current street lighting. A new National Express coach drop-off area has been added to the existing bus station improving access routes to city centre amenities.